Orthodontic practice management takes center stage in this best-of episode as Practice Talk host Lacie Ellis revisits the most impactful conversations from 2025. This compilation features industry experts sharing proven strategies for community events, virtual exams, and team leadership. Learn how to build relationships with local schools for orthodontics, discover why charging for consultations may hurt your bottom line, and unlock the secrets to maintaining a positive work culture. From leveraging social media to conducting effective staff meetings, these insights offer practical solutions that orthodontic practice management professionals can implement immediately to grow their practices and enhance patient experiences.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to measure success beyond simple metrics in community events and dental practice marketing, focusing on brand awareness and long-term patient referrals rather than immediate conversion rates.

✅ Why virtual exams are an underutilized tool in orthodontic practice management that builds trust and genuine connections with patients while streamlining the consultation process and improving patient experience.

✅ The essential role of staff meetings and open team communication in creating a positive work culture, including strategies for collaborative discussions and following up on implemented systems.

Ready to transform your practice? Tune in to Practice Talk for expert insights and actionable strategies to elevate your orthodontic practice management. Subscribe now and never miss an episode at Practice Talk, where your voice has value and your success is our priority!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Lacie introduces the best-of episode, highlighting key orthodontic practice management strategies and most frequently asked questions from growth consultants in the industry

00:52 Mary Katherine on measuring community events' success beyond immediate conversions, and the virtual exams workflow

04:17 Jamie delves into the virtual exam platform that’s changing the patient experience

07:13 Heather shares how to build school partnerships by asking what they need and providing genuine support.

14:42 Haley shares strategies for positive work culture and team leadership, highlighting the importance of honest team communication and scheduled staff meetings

18:82 Trisha on scheduled staff meetings ensure smooth practice operations, and encouragement brings out team gifts for social media engagement

23:20 Christi on getting the team involved in marketing efforts

30:37 Linda’s take on consultation fees, charging for exams and why free consultations enhance the patient experience

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Successful orthodontic practice management requires redefining community events metrics—focus on building brand awareness and presence in your market rather than counting immediate leads, as patients typically touch multiple marketing channels before scheduling.

💎 Virtual exams have evolved beyond pandemic necessity into a powerful tool for patient experience, allowing practices to build genuine connections through text and email while providing treatment plans, insurance verification, and financial discussions before the first in-office visit.

💎 Building school partnerships and homeschool groups relationships starts with asking "What do you need?" rather than pushing sponsorships—from providing mini deodorants to emergency kits for school nurses, thoughtful gestures create lasting community connections that drive patient referrals.

💎 Effective orthodontic practice management...

How can a mentorship-driven approach create an orthodontic practice where both staff and patients thrive? Today, Lacie Ellis is joined by Melissa and Katelyn from Horsey Orthodontics to discuss how their leadership fosters a culture of teamwork and patient care. You don’t want to miss Melissa and Katelyn’s insights on digital marketing or the secret of hiring the right talent. Tune in for strategy-driven actionable insights on building efficiency and collaboration in the orthodontics industry.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:53) Inspire a positive culture by focusing on leadership and teamwork
• (03:37) Daily morning huddles can enhance collaboration and set daily expectations
• (05:44) Utilizing a clinical manager as your "air traffic control" to improve efficiency and maintain patient flow
• (09:00) A listener's question about the clinical and admin team getting along and how cross-training may help
• (13:56) A listener's question about involving the team members in marketing and events
• (17:02) Patients leave referrals because they are rewarded with giveaways and incentives
• (19:57) Hiring strategies and finding people who fit the team’s culture
• (28:27) Creating a family-like patient experience through personalized care

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Fostering a positive culture through leadership. Daily morning huddles can enhance teamwork and patient care in your orthodontic practice.
• Clinical managers are like your practice’s "air traffic control" because they oversee and manage patient flow, which can help improve efficiency in your office each day. Utilizing a templated schedule enhances efficiency and collaboration, resulting in seamless patient flow.
• Internal referrals for hiring, as well as digital marketing strategies such as social media and patient contests, enhance engagement for both patients and staff, thereby bolstering practice success.

RESOURCE LINKS:

People + Practice - Website

Practice Talk Podcast - Free Downloads

KEYWORDS: Orthodontics, Hiring Strategies, Teamwork, Digital, Marketing, Culture, Leadership, Mentorship, Patient Care, Collaboration, Communication, Efficiency, Hiring, Family Experience Orthodontic Practice, Clinical Manager, Admin. Team, Personalized Care, Clinical Manager, Cross-Training, Horsey Orthodontics, Positive Culture, Patient Flow, Patient Referrals, Referral Programs, Marketing, Events, Community Events

Want to elevate your orthodontic practice with proven strategies? Curious about fostering a thriving team environment? Join us on Practice Talk, where host Lacie Ellis dives into real-world solutions for orthodontic practice success with guests Karina and Bayleigh. Karina, Director of Operations at Hallmark Orthodontics, shares insights on cultivating a positive culture through intentional leadership and open communication. Bayleigh, the Clinical Lead, reveals how structured chairside flow enhances practice efficiency while maintaining team flexibility. From creative incentives to community-driven marketing, this episode offers actionable tips to boost your practice’s growth and team morale.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Intro: Meet Karina and Bayleigh
• (02:34) How Karina fosters a positive culture within her team
• (07:18) Bayleigh explains the chairside flow structure used at the office
• (12:31) Question from a listener about team incentives
• (18:47) Question from a listener about involving the team in marketing efforts
• (22:14) Strategy for engaging chairside employees in marketing efforts
• (24:57) Bayleigh details the uniform dress code of black scrubs for all staff
• (29:01) Karina shares a significant challenge in their office regarding digital lab slips

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Karina emphasizes the importance of intentional daily positivity and open communication, utilizing monthly anonymous questionnaires to ensure team members feel valued and heard, thereby fostering a supportive work environment.
• Bayleigh describes a structured chairside flow with assigned chairs for smoother operations, while maintaining flexibility to support team members and enhance orthodontic practice efficiency.
• The practice employs creative incentives, such as a cash draw for same-day starts and monthly bonuses for achieving goals like no missed lab slips, which boosts team motivation and drives practice growth.

RESOURCE LINKS

People + Practice - Website

Practice Talk Podcast - Free Downloads

Hallmark Orthodontics - Website

KEYWORDS: Orthodontics, Positive Culture, Orthodontic Practice, Open Communication, Chairside Flow, Practice Efficiency, Team Flexibility, Community Driven Marketing, Marketing, Clinical Coordination, Team Motivation, Practice Efficiency, Marketing Efforts, Monthly Bonuses, Lab Slips, Uniform Dress Code, People + Practice, orthodontic practice success